Countdown store will create jobs in Ashburton

Countdown’s new Ashburton store will create dozens of new jobs when it opens in May.

New store manager Kyle Webber said between 80 and 100 staff will be employed in full and part time roles.

Senior managers and eight department heads were being recruited and general positions would be advertised very soon.

Countdown would hold a bulk recruitment day later this month and then newly employed staff would receive training in Ashburton and at other stores around Christchurch.

The new 4,200m2 Countdown store was bigger than the current store, which would remain open, he said.

“It’s pretty exciting for me because this is my first brand new store.

“I think there is also a lot of interest from the public and if the crowds are anything like those at the Mosgiel store which opened recently, then we can expect some big queues when we open,” said Mr Webber, who has managed Countdown stores in Invercargill and Kaiapoi.

The new Countdown store on South Street will also feature an in-store pharmacy, wider aisles and a more expansive fresh produce department.

It will be open seven days a week from 7am to 10pm and will have parking space for more than 200 vehicles.